Alan’s goal won a trophy for the Buddies in Brazil
summer trips abroad have been out of the question for football teams this year.
Even under normal circumstances, most Scottish clubs don’t venture too far .
However, 40 years ago, St Mirren were real globetrotters.
On this weekend in 1980, the Paisley outfit returned from Brazil with a trophy.
It was an eventful jaunt for 18-year-old striker, Alan Logan.
He scored one of the best goals of his career to win the silverware, was part of a 150,000 crowd at the famous Maracana Stadium, partied samba-style with manager Jim Clunie – and was pickpocketed!
“We were taken to Brazil as a reward for finishing third in the Premier Division and winning the Anglo-Scottish Cup,” recalls Alan.
“After that experience, we came back for a few weeks and then headed to Finland to prepare for the new season.
“When you’re as young as I was, you think that’s just normal and it’s never going to end.
“Our hotel in Rio was on Copacabana beach. But some players weren’t pleased with it and we got moved to an amazing place in Ipanema.
“We lost the first game 2-0 to Bangu, but weren’t really ideally prepared to play after a long journey.
“Our second match was against Vitoria Santos, and a local businessman put up a trophy for the game.
“We won 1-0 and I got the goal. It was a tap-in that I just beat John McCormack to.
“The third game was a 1-1 draw against Curitiba, and I scored one of my best-ever goals.
“I took it on my weak side and hit it into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
“There was a delayed transmission of the game on Brazilian TV, so I was able to see it again.
“We flew from Rio for that game, but got an overnight bus back because Brazil were playing at the Maracana and we wanted to be there. That was quite a journey.
“We’d also been there to see Flamengo winning the final game of the Brazilian championship in front of a massive crowd.
“Our captain, Jackie Copland, had a video camera and people were trying to steal it.
“I had my wallet taken by a pickpocket in a sports shop. So it was a real education.
“Manager Jim Clunie was great for me. He gave me my chance in the first team. There was a real carnival atmosphere after every game in Brazil. Jim let the older boys have a few drinks – and he was often leading the charge.
“Gardner Speirs and me were locked up one night because they thought we were too young to go out. All my focus was on football.
“I suppose the only sad element was that our kitman died on the flight heading home.
“It was strange to be coming off the plane with a trophy and everyone feeling so down.”
It was a summer of change for Alan.
He recalled: “I was in the last year of my apprenticeship to become a plumber.
“My final written exam was due and I had to ask if I could miss it to go to Brazil.
“I went full-time when I came back, and never did complete the plumbing qualification. “I’m still glad I went to Brazil.”
After five years in Saints’ first team, Alan played for Partick Thistle, Arbroath, Raith Rovers and Montrose.
He’s now a taxi driver and coaches youngsters at Queen’s Park.